Folding turn-table.



A. REITZ- FOLDING TURN TABLE.

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u ZZewa/akr ANDREW B. minim c1, FMOYO-LITHDGRAPKEXS. wuummon. n. G.

' "ALEXANDER REITZ, OF BOND, MARYLAND.

FOLDING TURN-TABLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 7, 1909. Serial No. 494,523.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALEXANDER Rnrrz, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bond, in the county of Garrett and State of Maryland, have invented new and useful Improvements in Folding Turn Tables, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to a folding transportable turntable for the use of railroads employing small engines or motors to ermit the same to be turned at any point albng the road. i

The object of the invention is to. provide a sim le, convenient and effective device of this ciiaracter which when not in use may be folded for transportationon the motor.

The invention consists of the features of' construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a erspective view of the turntable outfolded or use. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same as arranged for use upon a track, and illustrating in dotted lines the manner of folding or collapsing said turntable. Fig. 3 is a cross section through the center of the turntable.

The device comprises an oblong rectangular base 1 resting on a correspondingly shaped plate 2 and forming therewith the two members of a turntable pro er, said members being pivotally connected y a bolt 3. The upper end of this bolt is threaded to receive a retaining nut 4 and is encircled by a Washer 5 held by the nut against the upper face of the member 1. The bolt passes centrally through the members and is formed at its lower end with a tapered point or spur 6, the upper end of which provides a s oulder 7 bearing against the lower face of the member 2.

Carried by the turntable section 1 is a frame formed of two arallel bolsters 8 and 9 extending transverse y of said section 1, and each transversely divided to providealined sections 10 and 11. The sections 10 of said bolsters are fixed to the turntable member 1, While the sections 11 are free from connection therewith and are hinged or pivoted to their com anion sections, as at 12. By this construction the sections 11 are ada ted to be turned down to rest upon the mem er 1 in longitudinal alinement with the sections 10,

as shown in full lines in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and to be turned up and folded over upon the sections 10, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

Pairs of bars 13 and 14, arranged transversely of the turntable, are fixed to and extend outwardly from the sections of the bolsters and res ectively carry at their outer ends rails 15 and 16 arranged parallel to each other and to the turntable. The inner ends of the bars of each pair are connected by brace bars 13 and 14. The two sets of bolster sections and the bars carried thereby form the companion sections of the frame which support the respective rails, and by the construction described it will be apparent that one section of the frame may be folded over upon the other to colla se the device so that it maybe stored in c ose compass for transportation on the engine or motor. Linked connecting rods or braces 17 connect the rails on a line between the bars to sustain the rails when the device is folded for use. The rails are spaced the same distance as the rails 18 of the track and have hooks or eyes 19 at one end by which the device may be elevated and lowered to and from the engine and dragged by suitable tackle. The opposite ends of the rails have their upper surfaces beveled to form inclined planes 20.

In using the device for turning an engine, the said device is lowered from the engine and unfolded and placed upon the track with its rails 15 and 16 resting upon the rails 18 and the turntable proper resting upon one of the ties, into which the spur 6 may be driven. The engine is then run up the inclined surfaces 20 and onto the rails 15 and 16, whereupon the device, carrying the engine with it, is turned on the turntable section 2 by suit able'tackle or means applied to the books or eyes 19 until it is reversed end for end, or turned a half revolution, thus reversing the engine. The engine is then run off the rails 15 and 16 onto the track rails 18, as will be readily understood. The device is then folded and stored on the engine until its use is again required.

Owing to the fact that the rails 15 and 16 turn upon the track rails 18 and are constantly supported thereby, the strain upon the apparatus is, reduced, and hence the device may be made com aratively light so as to be handled with fac' ity. The invention, therefore, provides a means by which light Patented Aug. 31, 1909.

enginesor motors may be furnished with individual turntables and turned at any point on the track. when occasion requires.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. A portable turntable comprising a turntable proper, a folding frame carried thereby, and rails carried by the frame. 7 2. A portable turntable comprising a turntable proper, a frame embodying hinged sections, one of said sections being fixed to the upper member of the turntable and the other section adapted to be folded'over upon said fixed section, and rails carried by said frame sections.

V 3. A portable turntable comprising a turn 7 table proper carrying a tie engaging device, a

folding frame carried thereby, and rails carried by the frame.

4. A portable turntable proper comprising a turntable provided with a tie engaging spur, a folding frame carried thereby, and rails carried by theframe.

5. A portable turntable comprising a turntable proper having its members pivotally connected by a bolt having a tie engaging spur, a folding frame carried thereby, and rails carried by the frame.

said rails for connecting tackle or the a 6. A portable turntable comprising a turntable pro er, a sectional folding frame carried there y, rails carried by the sections of the frame, anda folding brace connecting the rails.

7. A portable turntable comprising a turntable proper, a sectional folding frame ear- I ried thereby, rails carried by the frame and provided with inclined ends, and means upon ike therewith.

8. A portable turntable comprising a turntable proper, a sectional folding frame carried thereby, rails carried by the frame and provided with inclined ends, means upon said rails for connecting tackle or the like therewith, and bracing means for the rails.

9. A portable turntable comprising a turntable proper, relatively foldable extensions from opposite sides of the movable member of the turntable, and rails carried by said extensions and having coacting inclined ends.

In testimony whereof I ai'iix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ALEXANDER REITZ. l/Vitnesses S. G. ASHBY, FRANK FARMER. 

